Do-it-yourself cybercrime kits are driving a surge in Internet-borne computer infections. DIY kits have been a staple in the cyberunderground for some time. But now they've dropped in price and become more user-friendly.
- Read the article: USA Today
EU Antitrust Chief Uncertain as Digital Leader
The nomination of Neelie Kroes, who was hard-nosed as Europe's antitrust chief, to a new post as commissioner for the digital agenda was in doubt after she was accused of being evasive during a testy appearance before a committee of the European Parliament. Members of the two biggest blocs in Parliament, the conservatives and the Socialists, expressed concerns about the failure by Ms. Kroes to endorse clearly what they considered pro-consumer lines on price caps for mobile phone roaming, redeployment of broadcast frequencies for wireless broadband and revisions to digital copyright law.
- Read the article: The New York Times
Chinese Find Ways to Avoid Internet Censorship
Just as Mongol invaders could not be stopped by the Great Wall, Chinese citizens have found ways to circumvent the sophisticated Internet censorship systems designed to restrict them. They are using a variety of tools to evade government filters and to reach the wide-open Web that the Chinese government deems dangerous -- sites like YouTube, Facebook and, if Google makes good on its threat to withdraw from China, Google.cn.
- Read the article: The New York Times
App Store Blamed for $450 Million in Software Losses
According to analysis by 24/7 Wall St., Apple and App Store software developers have lost more than $450 million to piracy since the store's launch in July 2008. The new study was greeted with some skepticism in the blogosphere, where critics and readers alike challenged the researchers' assumptions.
U.S. Supports Google in Chinese Censorship Debate
The United States has backed Google's decision to no longer support China's censoring of Internet searches and said the issue was of considerable economic importance as well as involving free information flow. Washington again demanded an explanation from Beijing on the issue, the latest row to break out between two of the world's economic giants.
Kodak Says iPhone, BlackBerry Cameras Infringe
Kodak has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission charging Apple and Research In Motion with infringing patents in products with cameras. The suit claims that the iPhone and BlackBerry devices with cameras infringe a Kodak patent that allows image previews.
RIAA Asks FCC to Allow "Flexible" ISP Rules
The Recording Industry Association of America asked the Federal Communications Commission to "adopt flexible rules" that free Internet service providers to fight copyright theft. According to a copy of comments submitted by the RIAA to the FCC, others, including two U.S. congressmen have already argued that the "Open Internet" principles should not protect unlawful content such as pirated songs.
FBI Warns of E-mail Scams Related to Haiti Earthquake
As the world looks for ways to help the victims of Haiti's earthquake, the FBI is now warning that there are also those who are looking for opportunities set up scams surrounding the latest disaster relief efforts. The FBI advises that people should be very skeptical of any unsolicited appeals they receive or find on the Internet.
Schools to Stop Promoting Kindle in Settlement
Three U.S. universities will stop promoting the use of Amazon.com's Kindle DX e-book reader in classrooms after complaints that the device doesn't give blind students equal access to information. Settlements with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Pace University in New York City and Reed College in Portland, Oregon, were announced by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Court Reinstates Antitrust Downloading Suit
A federal appeals court reinstated an antitrust lawsuit accusing major record labels of conspiring to fix prices for potentially millions of people who download their music over the Internet. The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said a federal district judge erred in dismissing the case in October 2008 against defendants that include Bertelsmann AG, EMI Group, Sony Corp, Vivendi SA and Warner Music Group Corp or various affiliates.
McAfee Helps Facebook Users Avoid Viruses, Spam
It looks like Facebook has finally gotten fed up with all the viruses and spam that is plaguing the social network and ensnaring and embarrassing its 350 million members. The company announced a deal with McAfee, a leading maker of antivirus software, to give Facebook users a complimentary six-month subscription to McAfee's Internet Security Suite.
Alleged NASA Hacker's Extradition to U.S. Delayed
A Briton who hacked into NASA and Pentagon computers has won the right to challenge the government's decision to refuse to block his extradition to the United States, his lawyers said. Gary McKinnon was arrested in 2002 after U.S. prosecutors charged him with illegally accessing computers, including at the U.S. Defense Department and NASA, and causing $700,000 worth of damage.
Google Threatens to Leave China After E-mail Attack
Google said that it may pull out of China because of a sophisticated computer network attack originating there and targeting its e-mail service. The company said it had evidence to suggest that "a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists."
Mobile Banking Apps Pulled Over Security Concerns
A programmer who goes by the nickname "09Droid" has just illuminated security concerns sure to come into sharper focus as tech and financial services corporations move to popularize mobile device banking. Antivirus supplier F-Secure says 09Droid offered more than 50 mobile banking applications for sale through Google's Android Marketplace, the app store for smartphones based on the Android operating system.
Google apologizes for E-mailing Sensitive Business Data
Google is apologizing after it mistakenly e-mailed potentially sensitive business data to other users of its business listings service. The company's Local Business Center allows businesses to create a listing for Google's search engine and Maps application, as well as add videos, coupons or photos.
Adult Film Star Says Violent Video Games Worse for Kids
Violent video games have "a much bigger negative influence on kids" than pornography, a leading porn star has claimed. He said parents should be more worried about the harmful effects of such games.
Court Blocks Webcast of Trial, But Changes Possible
The Supreme Court indicated that it might soon have something significant to say about whether and when video coverage of federal trials is appropriate. Shortly before a federal trial over same-sex marriage began in San Francisco, the court temporarily blocked a judge's plan to broadcast the trial on the Internet.
Iranian Hackers Blamed for Attack on China's Baidu
China's top search engine, was unavailable in China, and some Internet users reported seeing signs of an attack on the site by Iranian hackers. Users reported seeing a banner for the "Iranian Cyber Army," complete with an Iranian flag and a shattered Star of David, when they tried to access Baidu's home page.
Google Seeks to Improve Work with Chinese Authors
Google has agreed to hand over a list of books by Chinese authors that it has scanned in recent years, company executives said, in an apparent effort to placate writers who say their works were digitized without their permission. In a letter sent to an association of 8,000 Chinese writers, Google also apologized for any misunderstanding that might have angered authors and said it would work to forge an agreement on digitizing books by early summer.
Blind Groups Settle Kindle-Related Discrimination Suit
Two organizations representing the blind have settled a discrimination lawsuit against Arizona State University over its use of Amazon's Kindle e-reader device. Arizona State is among several universities testing the $489 Kindle DX, a large-screen model aimed at textbook and newspaper readers.
